A Catholic nun at Sydney's Kincoppal-Rose Bay School, Sister Philomene Tiernan, has been confirmed as one of the MH17 passengers.

Hilary Johnston-Croke, the principal at the school, said the school community was “devastated” when they heard the news that Sister Tiernan was on board.

“This has come as an enormous shock to me and our school community as I am sure it will to all of you,” she said.

“I heard from Phil yesterday morning and she told me that she had left Joigny, where she had been attending a retreat, in Paris while there, she saw Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat in her caisse at St Francis Xavier Church.

“Phil was a very much loved staff member and friend.

“We are devastated by the loss of such a wonderfully kind, wise and compassionate woman who was greatly loved by us all.”

Michael and Carol Clancy

Former NSW primary school deputy principal Michael Clancy and his wife Carol are believed to be among the victims of the Malaysia Airlines disaster.

Albion Park Public School principal Glenn Daniels confirmed the news to the school community on the school's website.

"Mr Clancy retired at the end of last year after serving this community as a highly respected teacher and Deputy Principal for the past 22 years," he wrote.

"Our thoughts and sympathy are with Mr and Mrs Clancy and their family and friends.

"When the school has confirmed details, we will consider how to appropriately pay tribute to Mr Clancy."

Jack O'Brien

Sydneysider Jack O'Brien was returning from a seven-week holiday in Europe when he boarded MH17 en route to Kuala Lumpur.

The family of the 25-year-old described him as a "beloved son and brother."

9NEWS understands an adult soccer player with the Granville Association was also believed to have been on board the flight.

Victor Oreshkin

A well-loved young man with a selfless devotion to his church has been identified as another NSW victim of the MH17 plane disaster.

The parents of Victor Oreshkin, from Sydney, had gone to the airport to meet their son on Friday morning but he never walked through the arrivals hall.

Mr Oreshkin, believed to be in his 30s, had been on a five-week holiday in Europe when the MH17 flight he was on was shot down by pro-Russian separatists over Ukraine.

Pastor Alex Minchenko from Lidcombe's Slavic Evangelical Pentecostal Church, where Mr Oreshkin was involved with the ministry, confirmed Mr Oreshkin was on the fatal flight.

"He was really loved by everyone so it was a big shock for all of us," Mr Minchenko told AAP.

"He was a really big part of the church so we really feel for his parents as well as for Victor."

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Dafne Nieveen

Dutch citizen Dafne Nieveen, who has worked in Perth for four years was on board MH17. (Supplied)

Dutch citizen Dafne Nieveen had called Perth home for the past four years, working as a language teacher and a riding coach for the disabled. She moved to Western Australia with her boyfriend after falling in love with Australia while on a holiday.

A friend on Facebook said the 37-year-old had "touched so many with her beautiful heart".

Nick Norris and grandchildren Mo, Evie and Otis Maslin

Nick Norris, a Perth businessman and several of his grandchildren were among the people killed when Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was shot down over Ukraine. (Supplied) (Supplied)

Perth grandfather Nick Norris and three of his grandchildren were among the 298 who died.

Mr Norris, the managing director of a Perth consultancy firm, was travelling with his three grandchildren Mo, Evie and Otis on a European family holiday.

Mo, Evie and Otis Maslin were on board MH17 along with their grandfather Nick Norris. (Supplied) (Supplied)

Family have said Mr Norris was a devoted sailor, and he and the three grandchildren were all members of the South Perth Yacht Club.

Mr Norris was also the managing director of a Perth consultancy firm.

Edel Mahady

The Irishwoman, 50, was returning to Perth for start of school term at Good Shepherd Catholic Primary School, Kelmscott where she worked as an administrator.

Her husband and children were not on the flight, according to the Irish Independent newspaper.

Arjen and Yvonne Ryder

Albany local and Department of Agriculture and Food employee Arjen was travelling with his wife Yvonne.

Her sister Anne Trudgeon told Perth Now she's lost a "beautiful" sister and brother in-law.

VICTORIA

Seventeen Victorians have been named as passengers on board MH17.

Itamar Avnon

Israeli citizen and Melbourne resident Itamar Avnon has been confirmed as a passenger on flight MH17. (Supplied) (Supplied)

27-year-old Israeli citizen Itamar Avnon was living in Melbourne studying business at Swinburne University.

Mr Avnon was returning to Australia on MH17 after visiting family in Amsterdam following a wedding in Israel.

It's believed he was a former paratrooper in the Israel Defense Forces.